Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt says Labor won’t wind back IR laws despite backlash

Labor won’t wind back its controversial industrial relations laws despite growing hostility from business, Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has declared, as he ridiculed claims the new regime was unleashing conflict in the nation’s workplaces.

Mr Watt has not ruled out further surprise changes after the next Federal election, prompting the Coalition to accuse Labor of plotting a secret IR agenda.

Senator Watt appeared at the National Press Club on Wednesday amid a worsening dispute between business and the Albanese Government over Labor’s industrial relations policies.

Business leaders are becoming increasingly vocal about the toll of far-reaching changes legislated this term, including multi-employer bargaining, “same job, same pay” for labour-hire workers and the “right to disconnect”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attempted to cool tensions earlier this week, telling Australia’s top CEOs that his Government was avowedly “pro-business” and “pro-worker”.

But the olive branch won’t extend to repealing laws that bosses insist will smash productivity.

“We’re not looking at backing down on the industrial relations laws ... that we took to the last election and that are delivering secure jobs, better pay, safer workplaces, more cooperative workplaces and benefits for employers as well,” Senator Watt told the Press Club.

Senator Watt ridiculed critics, including shadow workplace relations minister Michaelia Cash, who previously claimed the overhaul would cause a wave of strikes and send Australia back to the “Dark Ages”.

He argued the changes had the opposite effect, citing statistics showing the time lost to strike action has fallen from 2.4 working days per 1000 workers under the former Coalition Government to 1.8 working days per 1000 workers under Labor.

The Queensland frontbencher also subtly rebuked Minerals Council of Australia boss Tania Constable for claiming Labor’s IR changes would bring conflict to “every workplace, every industry”.

“Could it be that Labor’s approach, encouraging cooperation, is delivering more industrial peace, rather than the conflict some say is coming to ‘every workplace in Australia’?” he told an audience that included Ms Constable.

Senator Watt has left the door ajar to some tweaks to the new laws, with a scheduled review into the legislative overhaul expected to deliver findings in late January.

“I’m not going into it with an agenda around particular tweaks. I’ve obviously had things raised with me by employers. I’ve had things raised with me by unions,” he said of the review, which was required under the laws.

The Government has ruled out further workplace changes this term, with Senator Watt focused on highlighting the Coalition’s intention to unpick Labor’s policies.

The Opposition is committed to repealing the “right to disconnect” and has signalled the “same job same pay” laws could be on the chopping block.

“Make no mistake — Peter Dutton and the Coalition are the biggest threat to Australians’ wages and workplace conditions since Work Choices,” Senator Watt said.

Senator Watt said he hadn’t turned his mind to what IR policies the Government would take to the next Federal Election, which is due next May.

But he couldn’t guarantee Labor’s complete agenda would be revealed before voters cast their ballot.

Labor’s specific multi-employer bargaining changes weren’t part of its 2022 election platform, leading to backlash from business after it was sprung on them earlier this term.

“I think governments always take items to an agenda and then deliver extra things after they’re elected, and you’ve obviously got to make a judgment about whether you think that’s within the spirit of your mandate or not,” Senator Watt said.

Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black said if the Government was truly “pro-business” it would immediately rule out further IR changes, which he said would be a “hammer blow to the economy at the worst possible time”.

Senator Cash seized on Senator Watt’s comments to claim Labor was preparing another “secret” IR agenda.

“Beware the Australian Labor Party, post the election, will be bringing in policies … that they have not announced. That is incredibly dangerous,” she said.

The Coalition would confirm the full set of laws it wants to reveal before election day, Senator Cash said.